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Friday, 16 August 2013

Comment on the on-going situation in Egypt by His Grace Bishop Angaelos, General Bishop of The Coptic Orthodox Church in the United Kingdom - 16 August 2013

As a
clergyman for over twenty years, and a Christian for the whole of my life, one
thing I recognise as un-debateable is the value and sanctity of human life. We
believe that God has created us all in His image and likeness and has given us
a rational and reasoning spirit to be able to experience and understand Him
while at the same time appreciate and value His creation.

What we have
witnessed on the streets of Egypt over the past weeks, and particularly earlier
this week, is nothing short of devastating. To see so many lives lost whether of
victims or perpetrators is not only a loss to families and communities, but a
loss to the nation and to humanity as a whole. At this point and without
reservation or exception we offer our prayers for all those who mourn; those
who have lost loved ones, who have been injured, or who feel more powerless
than they did.

That which
distinguishes us as humans from any other creation is that we are not merely
territorial or instinctual beings but are created with the ability to feel
compassion and empathy and to share in both the joys and the sufferings of
those around us.

It is without
a doubt that we are witnessing a struggle in Egypt, looking very different
depending on the perspective and direction from which it is viewed. This is
understandable as it is the nature of human reasoning, conflict and
interaction. What is incomprehensible however is that a difference of opinion
can lead to the justification of, and sometimes the rejoicing in, the loss of
even a single sacred human life.

While there
may be numerous initiatives, political or otherwise, to resolve the current
conflict in Egypt, it is obvious that the only real way ahead is for
restoration of peace and an application, albeit slow and gradual, of true
reconciliation within a now fractured community that has seen loss of life and
a heightened sense of lawlessness and impunity. The one element that will
always work against any of these initiatives or intentions however is the
rhetoric and incitement that leads to the ‘justified’ attack on others.

Over the past
weeks we have witnessed an increasing trend of anti-Christian rhetoric calling
for, as I stressed in my latest statement, ‘the attack upon and eradication of Christians
and churches’ in Egypt. The result of such incitement, at least in part, has
been the unprecedented attack on fifty two churches and numerous Christian
homes and businesses across eight governorates in Egypt within the space of
twenty four hours. One must wonder what end this could possibly serve. To
inflame against a significant part of a community, alienating and marginalising
it, means that one also potentially loses the proactive and positive input of
that same part.

Over the past
year we have seen an increased marginalisation of Christians and minority
groups in Egypt followed by what some see, in these attacks on churches, as intentional
instigation of anger attempting to prompt a retaliation that would lead to a
spiralling pattern of violence. If this indeed is a ploy, it will of course fail,
as it has been proven over centuries that the nature of Christians in Egypt is
not to retaliate but rather to continue striving as loyal and law-abiding
citizens of their indigenous homeland. While Christians in Egypt have been
accused of being Western sympathisers and seeking Western intervention for
decades, in actual fact what we have witnessed in our contemporary history and
in particular over the past few weeks, is quite the opposite.

While we
recognise that the priority now is for the peace and restoration of order in
Egypt as a whole, the unprecedented attack on fifty two churches carried out
almost simultaneously over a brief twenty four hour period, indicating a
premeditation and co-ordination that goes beyond sporadic acts of instantaneous
anger, requires thorough investigation at the appropriate time. If we were to
find, however unrealistic, that these acts were indeed sporadic, this would
point to a much greater concern for the community and a much greater need for a
proactive programme of reconciliation and cohesion leading to healing over the
longer term.

We continue
to pray for Egypt, comprised of her ninety million Egyptians of various
religions, beliefs, and outlooks, praying that a much needed peace and wisdom
descends upon all. We further pray that Egypt, a land once blessed by the Lord
as a place of refuge for Him in His infancy, returns to being a nation for all,
and not one governed by some, to the exclusion of others.